In the new Cirque du Soleil production, a group of 11 Ethiopian artists stand out. First with a breathtaking banquine number. Then in a duo of Icarian games, which defy the laws of gravity. Two key moments which, night after night, trigger thunderous applause. La Presse met the “captain” of the troupe, Taye Yemam.
We meet Taye Yemam right after the daily training of his troop, in the presence of the interpreter Debritu Merid Camporeale, who speaks Amharic.
The presence of his troupe in Montreal is an achievement in itself. Thanks to the group’s agent Yenene, who works for Cirque du Soleil, Taye Yemam was able to showcase the talent of his artists, whom he manages in a studio in the Wingate district of Addis Ababa.
“He really encouraged us a lot, says Taye Yemam, who took over from another captain, Salomon, who started the troupe, and who recruited new artists to complete the team. We created the best number we could. »
The Circus liked it. And contracted Taye Yemam’s team. It was somewhere in 2019, because remember that the first incarnation of Echo was called Under the same sky and was to be presented in the summer of 2020… But pandemic forces, everything has been postponed. And the Ethiopian troops returned to Wingate.
The first time he presented his banquine number in public, last April, Taye Yemam no longer showed the same confidence…
” I was scared. Cirque du Soleil represents the very best. For us, it’s the best. So, of course, I wondered if we were up to it. Especially during the performances we had to do in front of the circus community. Then the night of the premiere. It was really annoying, we knew we had no room for error. »
However, as soon as the dozen Ethiopian artists crowd the stage of the marquee, the current passes. The acrobats have such a positive energy in them – which they immediately transmit to the spectators – while performing impressive figures, always with a smile. No wonder they get standing ovations (not so common).
These smiles are not fake, Taye Yemam tells us. “We have always done our acrobatics while dancing, with the music of the country. We do this with joy, it’s natural for us. »
How did he react to the crowd’s ovation? “For sure it was a great happiness for us. But my first reaction was to look for Chantal [Tremblay, creative director] and Mukhtar [the director] to thank them with their eyes, because they worked so hard and allowed us to be here. »
By the way, how did Taye Yemam get the captaincy? “Solomon, who led the troop before me, was the captain. I was one of the acrobats, but he saw leadership qualities in me. »
It is precisely this lack of resources and equipment that has led Taye Yemam’s troupe to specialize in banquine. When we talk about the circus apparatus found here – straps, aerial hoop, fabric, smooth rope, Chinese pole, Cyr wheel, etc. – the captain smiled. “We don’t have any of that in our house…”
Like many African circus artists, he uses his body for any device. And what mastery they have!
The duo of Ethiopian artists who perform an Icarian games number – where a carrier, lying on his back, turns an acrobat with his feet – has also received a daily ovation since the start of the presentation of Echo. This discipline, extremely difficult, does not run the streets. Cirque has got its hands on a fiery duo.
Meareg Hishe Mehari and Robel Mezgebe Weldemikael, who come from northern Ethiopia, are not part of Taye Yemam’s troupe – moreover, they speak another language, Tigrigna – but on stage, during their number, Taye Yemam’s troupe surrounds them, and behind the scenes, the captain watches over them. “We come from the same country, he tells us, so we definitely made friends. »
After three months of performances, how does the captain feel? Does he still have doubts?
Taye Yemam takes the time to think before answering. “I have fewer doubts, but I’m still concerned about doing things perfectly. When I arrived, I realized that I had less experience than the other coaches. Now I have more self-confidence because I learned from them. One of the things I have learned is to be very calm in front of my artists, it has a calming effect on them. »
Does his troupe have any habits or rituals before a performance begins? “We practice before each show, that’s very important,” he replies. We take nothing for granted. But at the same time, it’s important to have fun too, there’s a part of the game that you mustn’t lose. And just before going on stage, everyone meditates and prays. »
